​Earlier this month leading nutrition scientists and medical experts from around the world assembled in Boston for the Oldways Finding Common Ground conference.

Oldways is a nonprofit nutrition education organization, and the experts’ mission was to come to an agreement on what Americans should be eating and to identify tools for disseminating these clear recommendations to the public.

Here are a few of my favorites and a brief preview of what to expect (taken directly from the consensus statement or slightly rephrased):

Food can and should be: Good for human health, good for the planet (sustainability; ecosystem conservation; biodiversity), and simply…good – unapologetically delicious.

A dietary pattern good for human health is one that is high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low- or non-fat dairy, seafood, legumes, and nuts; moderate in alcohol (among adults); and low in red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, and highly processed or refined grains (e.g. white bread).

It is not necessary to eliminate food groups or conform to a single dietary pattern to achieve healthy dietary patterns. Rather, individuals can combine foods in a variety of flexible ways to achieve healthy dietary patterns, and these strategies should be tailored to meet the individual’s health needs, dietary preferences and cultural traditions.

Fundamentals and current understanding of diet and health do NOT change every time a new study makes headlines.

Individuals benefit from becoming knowledgeable about the origins of their food, the conditions under which it is produced, and its impact on their health and the health of the planet.

Food systems (production, manufacture, food waste, etc.) should align with priorities for human and planetary health while supporting social responsibility/justice and animal welfare.

Each of us has a role to play in ensuring a healthy and sustainable global food supply.